Burdette "Bud" Leon McCall

Burdette “Bud” Leon McCall, 78, passed away peacefully at his home in Urbandale, Iowa.

Bud was born in Clarion, Iowa, to Norma Jean Cooper and Everett Carl McCall. He grew up in Webster City, where his curiosity and gentle nature showed early—especially in his love for rescuing and raising pigeons. His favorite, a tiny bird he named Comet, had to be bottle fed as a baby and quickly became Bud’s constant companion.

Bud married Pamela Batcheller on June 2, 1969, in Elk Point, South Dakota. Shortly after, he enlisted in the United States Navy—an act of courage made even more memorable by the fact that he couldn’t swim. His service was a point of pride throughout his life.

In 1974, Bud moved his family to Eagle Grove, Iowa, where he became Assistant Manager at Foodland Grocery Store. He later managed the Pester Derby gas station before fulfilling a dream of owning his own business: McCall’s 66, a gas and service station where he built friendships as easily as he fixed engines. He eventually retired from Certified Transmissions in Fort Dodge, where he maintained the company’s fleet of delivery trucks with the same care he gave everything in his life.

Bud moved to Urbandale in 2018, bringing with him his lifelong passions. He was an avid collector of rock ’n’ roll music, and his vinyl collection was so extensive that KIOA Radio once borrowed and recorded several of his records. He loved repairing and restoring cars, boating, camping, and spending summer Saturday nights at the races in Webster City.

One of his favorite memories came in August 2025, when he attended the Iowa State Fair to see Herman’s Hermits perform—and even had the chance to meet lead singer Peter Noone.

Bud is survived by Pamela McCall-West of Urbandale; his children Tina McCaffery (Rob) of Urbandale, Timothy McCall of Fort Dodge, and Scott McCall (Kathie) of Peoria, Arizona; his grandchildren Kayla McCaffery of Urbandale, Gemma McCall of Fort Dodge, Maddisen Callahan (Kyle) of Peoria, Arizona, Abbigayle McCall and Clayton McCall of Peoria, Arizona; and his great grandson, Krew Callahan of Peoria, Arizona.

He was preceded in death by his; father Everett Carl McCall; mother Norma Jean Stromquist; stepfather Lyle Stromquist; siblings Connie Gordon, Gary McCall, Bennett (Benny) McCall; niece Angela Denise Eubanks (Stark).

A service honoring Bud’s life will be held on June 11, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery, 34024 Veterans Memorial Drive, Adel, Iowa. A gathering to celebrate his life will follow at a nearby location.

Bud will be remembered for his humor, his stories, his music, his love of engines and open roads, and the quiet kindness he carried with him everywhere he went.